AFCON 2017 Preview: All you need to know about Group B

In our continued coverage relative to the buildup to the African Cup of Nations, we present a preview of Group B, teams in this group will be based in Franceville.

They kick off their fixtures a day after the opening ceremony and first group games for Group A. On Sunday 15 January Algeria will take on Zimbabwe before Senegal and Tunisia face off later the same evening.

Senegal – The Teranga Lions

Previous appearances = 13

The Teranga Lions as they are known have never won the trophy despite making the tournament for 13 times. The closest they came to glory was in 2002 but they were beaten by Cameroon. They were also semi finalist on two ocassions, 1990 and 2006.

Their qualification path saw them winning all their six games in a group that comprised Burundi, Namibia and Niger. The team scored 13 goals and conceded only two on their way.

Manager: Cisse Aliou

Algeria – The Desert Foxes

Previous appearances = 16

The north African side have once won the tournament in 1990 and are looking to replicating that feat after 26 years. Algeria’s Les Fennecs (the Desert Foxes) have also placed third twice and exited at the semi finals stage twice.

Only Ethiopia at home managed to hold them to a draw in the qualifiers. They won all their other five fixtures against Seychelles, Lesotho and Ethiopia at home. Scoring a whooping 25 goals and conceding only 4.

Manager: Georges Leekens of Belgium

Zimbabwe – The Warriors

Previous appearances = 2

The third AFCON participation of Zimbabwe has been hit by player discontent over payments over their participation. The players wanted $5000 per game but have been offered half the amount. Zimbabwe is suffering from a cash crisis and amid a drought and economic downturn.

The Warriors however secured qualification with 11 points in Group L of the qualifiers. They drew twice, lost once – an away fixture with Guinea, and won three games. They topped the group comprising Guinea, Malawi and Swaziland.

Manager: Pasuwa Calistus

Tunisia – The Carthage Eagles

Previous appearances = 17

One win in 17 appearances for the north African side. Their only victory coming in a year they hosted the rest of the continent (2004). They were runners up in 1965 and 1996. They came in third in 1962 edition and finished at the semi-final level in 1978 and 2000.

The Carthage Eagles as they are referred to, had a hard time in qualifying for the game. Djibouti were the only opponents they beat home and away in qualification. They suffered a shock defeat to Liberia before winning 4 – 1 in the reverse fixture in Monrovia. They managed a slim victory over Togo at home but were held by the Hawks in the reverse fixture.

FULLPRELIMINARYFIXTURES OF GROUP B

15 January, 2017
Algeria vs. Zimbabwe
Tunisia vs. Senegal

19 January, 2017
Algeria vs. Tunisia
Senegal vs. Zimbabwe

23 January, 2017
Senegal vs. Algeria
Zimbabwe vs. Tunisia

All fixtures will be played at the Stade de Franceville except the ‘Zimbabwe vs. Algeria ‘ game which will be played at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville because all last group games are to be played at the same time.